sport news Scottie Scheffler is seen for the first time since Louisville police revealed ... trends now
Scottie Scheffler teed it up Thursday afternoon just two hours after Louisville police confirmed that the charges against him have not been dropped.
The World No. 1 was arrested in the early hours of May 17 before his second round of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky, for not following police orders during a pedestrian fatality investigation.
The 27-year-old was booked on four charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer, which is a felony. Yet whispers around Valhalla over the remainder of the major championship suggested that they would be dropped, while top brass within the department reportedly believed the 'excessive' charges should be reduced.
Instead, however, Louisville Metro police chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel vowed to 'to respect the legal process' and 'let it play out' in a press conference Thursday morning, with Scheffler due to be arraigned in court next month.
Despite his looming legal trouble, Scheffler was unruffled as he fired a perfect drive off the first tee.
Scottie Scheffler teed it up after Louisville police said charges against him won't be dropped
A mugshot of world no 1 Scottie Scheffler following his arrest by Louisville police last Friday
Teeing off alongside Billy Horschel and Keegan Bradley at 1:45pm ET at Colonial, Scheffler's drive cut over the trees at the corner, finding the center of the fairway.
The Masters champion appeared to have found himself in a spot of trouble when he landed his apprach shot in the greenside bunker.
But he managed to get up and down for an opening birdie.
Scheffler was accused of failing to stop for police as he attempted to gain entry at a point when they were managing traffic in the wake of a fatal collision between a bus and a member of the tournament's security staff, John Mills.
The police report said Scheffler failed to comply with instructions and then drove away from an officer, Bryan Gillis, causing him to be dragged along by the two-time Masters winner's car.
He was taken to a Louisville jail and booked in Jefferson County on four charges; felony second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.
In Kentucky, second-degree assault is a Class C felony which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
'We are all looking to move forward,' Mayor Greenberg said. 'But we have to respect the legal process. And that's what we are going to do. We are going to let that play out.'
During the press conference, police chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel revealed that Detective Bryan Gillis did not turn on his body-worn camera - a violation of police policy.
Officials also released two new videos of the moment Scheffler was put in handcuffs and arrested. They said on Thursday that they are not aware of any footage of the initial interaction between the golf star and police.
Despite his looming legal woes, the World No. 1 fired off the perfect drive at the first
The Texan's approach shot found the right greenside bunker at the first at Colonial
The Masters champion managed to get up and down to open his tournament with a birdie
